The builders have returned to Helfštýn, work is also being done on other monuments

Olomouc - Builders have returned to Helfštýn Castle in Týn nad Bečvou in the Přerov region after two weeks to complete the extensive reconstruction of the remains of the Renaissance palace, which the castle administration planned to open this summer. The monument has thus come alive again with construction work, and the absence of visitors is being utilized by the castle administration, for example, to prepare a seasonal exhibition. The custodians at other monuments in the Olomouc Region are also not idle. Even though the castles are closed due to government regulations in the fight against the coronavirus, work continues, cleaning is done, and even painting, ČTK found out.

The builders left Helfštýn Castle with the outbreak of the pandemic, and work halted for about two weeks. "On Monday, the builders returned to the palace after two weeks, so efforts to continue the project of rescuing and making accessible the palace's remains are ongoing," said custodian Jan Lauro to ČTK. According to him, work is also being done behind closed doors to prepare an exhibition titled "The Story of the Remains," which will present the development of this extraordinary construction, work on a monograph about Helfštýn continues, and new website pages for Hefaiston are being prepared.

The castle administration is also dealing with planned events, dropping smaller projects from the program, and organizers of large events are rescheduling. "Employees directly linked to visitor operations are currently on leave and are eagerly monitoring the situation's development. Maintenance staff are busy improving the grounds. Regular repairs of furniture, cultivation of greenery, or cleaning of storages will still occupy a few workers for some time, regardless of whether the public will flow in or not," added the custodian of Helfštýn.

Work is also underway in the area of Šternberk Castle, where extensive reconstruction of the castle hill, initiated at the turn of the year, continues. Since Monday, the restorer has been working on the restoration of the remaining historical tiled stoves. In addition, painting has begun in the castle. "We are painting the entire third floor. We are taking advantage of the current space and doing what we would otherwise do in the fall," said custodian Helena Gottwaldová to ČTK. The castle was supposed to be open in March on weekends, but due to the pandemic, the administration had to cancel numerous events and school visits.

At one of the most visited monuments in the region, Bouzov Castle, they are using the absence of visitors at least to clean the park and spaces in the castle, and they are also sewing masks for the municipal office, firefighters, or the seniors in Bouzov. The castle was open for only a week, said custodian Zuzana Šulcová to ČTK today. The castle administration is involving visitors at least from a distance. They announced a competition for a model of the castle from the time of Czech ruler George of Poděbrady, whose 600th birthday will be celebrated in April. "Bouzov is considered one of his possible birthplaces. The ten best creations will become part of an exhibition we are preparing for this significant anniversary," added the custodian.